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Recommendation for the Week of August 25, 2008

Alligator Baby
by: Robert Munsch
jFIC SAN

Kristen’s mom and dad proudly bring her baby brother home from the hospital.  Wait a minute!  Can a baby brother have a long green tail, a face with whiskers, or a very hairy arm? Why is there a seal in the bathtub? Check out this hilarious story and find out how Kristen fixes this mix-up and finds her baby brother.

- recommended by Patty Wallace, College Avenue Library

Recommendation for the Week of August 18, 2008

Meredes and the Chocolate Pilot: a True Story of the Berlin Airlift and the Candy that Dropped from the Sky
by: Raven, Margot Theis
j943.155 RAV

A true story. It’s 1948 during the Berlin Airlift, and pilots, who three years earlier were bombing Berlin, are now in the business of saving Berliners from a slow, wintry starvation.  One of those pilots is Lt. Gail Halvorsen. In addition to his deliveries of flour and coal, he parachutes Hershey Bars to the watching children. These children have never tasted candy. Halvorsen’s kindness is a hit. He receives fan mail, and in one letter, a child named Mercedes asks the “Chocolate Pilot” to please drop some candy at her house.  A knock on Mercedes’ door begins a unique friendship...

- recommended by Mike Hylton - Irvington

Recommendation for the Week of August 11, 2008

Find a Face
by: Francois and Jean Robert
jP ROB

Do you ever feel alone? Have you ever wanted to see a smiling face? Just look around and you may be surprised what you see! Every day objects have been photographed. Look at the pages. Some of the faces are easy to find. Look closer now and guess what the object is. The name of the objects is in one of the lower corners upside down. The photographs are clear and set against bold background.  You may never look at a food grater in the same way again. Now it is your turn to see faces in the world around you!

- recommended by Nancy Mobley - Haughville

Recommendation for the Week of August 4, 2008

Firegirl
by: Abbott, Tony
jFIC ABB

Courage happens in small and meaningful ways when you are a 12 year old boy attending a Catholic school.  Tom Bender sees the world differently than his friend Jeff and when a girl disfigured by severe burns joins their class midterm, Tom begins to question the attitudes that cause his classmates to say mean and hurtful things about Jessica.  Tom learns that courage means not doing the things everyone else does and instead, doing the one thing no one else will do. 

- recommended by Roberta Ash, Infozone

Recommendation for the Week of July 28, 2008

Sleeping Ugly
by: Jane Yolen
jP

Adventure into the story of a plain girl with a pure heart and a beautiful princess with a very mean spirit.  See what happens when they meet a young prince and a feisty old fairy.  The prince must decide if he wants to kiss the mean but beautiful princess or kiss the pure hearted but simple plain Jane. This is a fun book for your family story time and it even has a moral at the end of the story for you to talk about. What really makes a person beautiful?  Sleeping Ugly is a wonderful book for students in the primary grades.

- recommended by Tamera Coolman - Fountain Square Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of July 21, 2008

Sahara Special
by: Esme Raji Codell
jFIC COD

Fifth grader Sahara Jones is a talented writer who is secretly working on “Her Heart-Wrenching Life Stories and Amazing Adventures”.   She is also an avid reader and loves to learn new words.  However, at school Sahara refuses to do her work and is labeled as “special ed” – thus her nickname “Sahara Special”.  Enter Miss Pointy, a weird new teacher with copper hair and eggplant-colored lipstick who teaches unconventional subjects like Puzzling, Time Travel and World Exploring.  Sahara and her quirky classmates have met their match.  Let the learning begin!

- recommended by Linda Tegmeyer - East Washington Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of July 14, 2008

The Door Within
by: Wayne (Thomas) Batson
jFIC BAT

Twelve year-old Aidan’s life has been turned upside down: he’s been forced to move to his ill grandfather’s house—leaving behind his only friend. Angry at his parents for moving him across the country, Aidan never expected anything interesting to happen this summer, but when strange things start happening at Grampa’s house, he leaps for a chance at adventure. With the discovery of three scrolls, Aidan enters a world of adventure where dragons fly the skies and men become knights. He has been called to The Realm to become the Twelfth Knight of a team sent to combat the plans of the evil lord, Paragor. But as a boy who loves his PlayStation and drawing castles in class, will he be able to survive the rigors of training to be a knight . . . and his mission?

- recommended by Sara Wright - Spades Park Library

Recommendation for the Week of July 7, 2008

The Z was Zapped
by: Chris Van Allsburg
jP VAN

The lowly alphabet reaches star status in this zany and beautiful picture book created by the brilliant and creative Chris Van Allsburg, author of the Christmas classic, The Polar Express. Van Allsburg sets the stage for learning the alphabet.   At the Alphabet Theatre, a mystery play in 26 acts is playing and features each letter of the alphabet, a victim of an unfortunate event.  Readers of all ages will be intrigued and amused as they attempt to discover what happened to each of the actors, from A to Z...  Featuring dramatic black and white illustrations, this book will delight both young and old.

- recommended by Beverly Elrod - Haughville Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 30, 2008

The Eye of the Crow
by: Shane Peacock
jmys pea

If you like Sherlock Holmes, you will be excited by this Canadian author's exploration/invention of Holmes's life as a 12-year old. It is 1867 in London. A terrible murder has been committed and an Arab immigrant has been arrested for it. Young Sherlock Holmes, with his odd ways, gets sucked into the mystery and is accused of being an accomplice. He must find the real killer or face the gallows himself. In this tense and well-written mystery, we meet Holmes's parents and understand the circumstances of racism (Sherlock is half-Jewish) and poverty that led him to be the moody, brilliant detective he became as an adult. We also meet the younger versions of the mysterious Professor Moriarity and even Irene Adler (the only woman Sherlock Holmes ever loved). An attention-grabbing and creative book.

- recommended by Steve Bridge, Irvington Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 23, 2008

Minnie’s Diner:  A Multiplying Menu
by: Dayle Ann Dodds
jP DOD

If you think multiplication is not any fun, I'm sure after reading the picture book Minne’s Diner: a Multiplying Menu your opinion will be changed.  Young children will be delighted by the story of Papa McFay and his five sons.  From the youngest to the oldest each son stops by Minnie’ Diner for lunch and with each son the order multiplies.  And by the end of the story the reader is ready to stop by a diner for a slice of cherry pie.  Told in rhyme this funny story is sure to be a winner.

- recommended by Denyce Malone Flanner House

Recommendation for the Week of June 16, 2008

Hattie Big Sky
by: Kirby Larson
 jFIC LAR

It is December 1917 and 16-year-old orphan, Hattie, has just inherited 320 acres in Montana from her Uncle.  Hattie it thrilled to finally have a place of her own, after being shuffled between relatives for most of her young life.  The Montana claim needs some “proving up” before Hattie can truly call it her own.  She learns that she has to put up 480 rods of fence and 40 acres of crops before November.  Hattie works hard to meet the requirements while keeping in touch with her good friend, Charlie, who is fighting in France.  She befriends her neighbor, Perilee, who makes her feel like she’s one of the family.  This young pioneer experiences friendship, heartbreak and joy on her way to discovering the meaning of independence.

- recommended by Kimberly Andersen, West Indianapolis Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 9, 2008

Alabama Moon
by: Watt Key
jFIC KEY

This action packed adventure set in rural Alabama revolves around Moon, a ten-year-old boy, who has lived his entire life living off the land in the forest with his father, a Vietnam Veteran survivalist, who dislikes rules and distrusts the government.  After his father dies from a broken leg, refusing to see a doctor, Moon is left on his own.  Before his father died, he told Moon to go to Alaska and he sets out to do this, but folks have different ideas of what is right for Moon.  When Moon makes his first friend, tastes his first sweet roll and begs to stay in jail saying it was the, “best bed he ever had”, he begins to wonder if everything his father told him was right.  This first time novel by author Watt Key introduced a memorable character in Moon that will not easily be forgotten!

- recommended by Kimberly Andersen, West Indianapolis Library

Recommendation for the Week of June 3, 2008

Victory Garden
by: Lee Kochenderfer
jFIC KOC

Teresa wants her brother home from the War, and is doing her part on the home front.  She helps her father tend their Victory Garden so food from the farm can feed troops fighting overseas.  When their gruff neighbor,Mr. Burt goes into the hospital, it is up to Teresa to convince her father to save Mr. Burt’s garden, and convince her classmates to turn the garden into their summer war bond project.  Armed with her secret weapon, a garden, and summer sun, the fifth graders take on the largest garden in the town.

- recommended by Cathy Scheib, Wayne Branch

Recommendation for the Week of May 26, 2008

Reaching for Sun
by: Tracie Vaughn Zimmer
jFIC ZIM

As the seasons change so does Josie Wyatt as she comes of age in a body (stricken with cerebral palsy) that refuses to move with the music of her mind.  Written in free verse, Josie’s voice rings true as her story of friendship, hardship and learning one of life’s most valuable lessons unfolds like a rose slowly blossoming.  Like riding with the flow of a river’s current, so is reading Zimmer’s prose filled with metaphors and similes.  This one will touch your heart.

- recommended by Jean Beck, Southport Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of May 19, 2008

The Mysterious Edge of the Heroic World
by: E. L. Konigsburg
jFIC KON

Any book written by E. L. Konigsburg is interesting with intriguing characters.  Meet Amedeo Kaplan, who yearns to discover something special, like cave paintings, fossils of previously unknown animals or a lost art masterpiece.  When his mother is transferred to St. Malo, Florida, Amedeo meets William Wilcox, whose mother is appraising the estate of Mrs. Zender, Amedeo’s eccentric next door neighbor.  What Amedeo and William discover among Mrs. Zender’s many possessions is, indeed, very special.  If some of the minor characters seem familiar, the reason is that this book is a companion piece to Konigsburg’s The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place.

- recommended by Cindy Childers, Shelby Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of May 12, 2008

Goldie and the Three Bears
by: Diane Stanley
jP STA

The author takes the popular story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears and puts a different spin on it. We meet Goldie who knows exactly what she likes and what she doesn’t.  She can’t help it that the children she invites over are too bossy, snobby, boring and rough.  She wants a friend who is just right and someone she can love with all her heart.  One day, when Goldie gets off at the wrong bus stop, she finally finds the right friend.  I think any young child would enjoy this story and illustrations as much as I did. 

- recommended by Carol Segal, Pike Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of May 5, 2008

The Liberation of Gabriel King
by: K.L. Going
jFIC GOI

In the summer of 1976, Gabriel and Frita share many fears about the future that are a reflection of the turbulent times. They decide to make a list of all the things that they are afraid of and try to conquer them together. Gabriel is afraid of many things including a bully at school named Duke Evans. Frita’s list includes Duke’s father, Mr. Evans, who is an active local Klan member.  Their commitment to facing their fears is a catalyst for events that will alter their lives forever.

- recommended by Martha La Bounty, E38th St. Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of April 28, 2008

Schooled
by: Gordon Korman
jFIC KOR

Capricorn Anderson debuts at “C Average” Middle School with long hair, beads and absolutely no clue.  Raised by his grandmother on an alternative farm commune, Cap has never been to school, seen TV or eaten junk food.  Zach Powers singles Cap out to be class president, a position reserved for the biggest freak in school, guaranteeing a miserable existence for Cap.  When Cap responds by practicing tai chi in the school yard and meditating in front of his locker, the student’s taunts turn vicious.  Will peace and love be enough to survive middle school? 

- recommended by Daniell Wilkins Kaster, Lawrence Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of April 21, 2008

The Shy Creatures
by: David Mack
jP MAC

What if all the imaginary creatures in the world weren’t really imaginary? What if they were just shy? In The Shy Creatures, a very shy girl wants to be a doctor and friend to all shy creatures when she grows up. Who else would give a dragon a glass of water when his throat was sore (one of the many hazards of breathing fire), or help a Cyclops with his nearsightedness? In her imagination, the one place where she is not shy, she befriends many misunderstood creatures and helps them with their various ailments. The bright Dr. Seuss inspired illustrations are a wonderful addition to this family friendly story.

- recommended by Courtney Allison, The Learning Curve

Recommendation for the Week of April 14, 2008

The Book of Lies
by: James Moloney
jFIC MOL

A twelve year old boy is brought to an orphanage only to have his memory erased by a powerful wizard.  However, Bea, a vanishing orphan, is able to tell him his real name.  As Marcel seeks to find the truth about himself, it is discovered that he has a connection with two other orphans and their lives are entwined in the future of their kingdom.  This is an action packed fantasy adventure that will leave you wanting more. 

- recommended by Delia Blanchard, Nora Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of April 7, 2008

A Crooked Kind of Perfect
by: Linda Urban
jFIC URB

Zoe Elias dreams of being a world-famous piano player whose fingers float effortlessly over the elegant keys.  When her father brings home a decidedly un-elegant organ, specifically a PerfectOne D-60, Zoe is momentarily shattered.  With a mother whose work takes first seat and a father who gets nervous and confused every time he leaves the house, Zoe has a lot working against her as she practices furiously for the looming PerfectOne Recital.  This book is both funny and heart-warming, and Zoe faces her many obstacles in a very realistic combination of outrage, persistence, and acceptance.

- recommended by Bethany Flesher, Lawrence Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of March 24, 2008

I, Coriander
by: Gardner, Sally
jFIC GAR

An exciting and well-told combination of English history and fantasy.  It is set in Commonwealth England from 1649 to 1659 -- from Oliver Cromwell's takeover until the return of Charles II (the Restoration). But it is also set in the world of Faerie, for Coriander is the daughter of a faery mother and a human father.  When she defies her greedy stepmother, the courageous Coriander is locked in a box, which becomes her doorway into Faerie.  The stories in the two worlds are interestingly parallel, with a double dose of wicked stepmothers, overthrown kings, evil advisors, and handsome princes.   A great adventure.

- recommended by Steve Bridge, Irvington Branch Library

Recommendation for the Week of March 17, 2008

Adam Canfield of the Slash
by: Winerip, Michael
jFIC

A Pulitzer Prize-winning author draws on his own experiences in journalism to create a unique and highly readable book about students who run a school newspaper called the Slash. Sixth graders Adam and Jennifer, with the help of an over-achieving third grader named Phoebe, pound the pavement to get their scoops. The laughs are real, and so is a major cover-up that involves a memorial gift to the school that is supposed to benefit the students. Only Adam can uncover the truth, and his finger is pointing right at the principal. Full of laughs and insights about human nature, this is a must-read for anyone interested in working on a school newspaper or going into journalism.

- recommended by Ginny Noble, Selection Services

Recommendation for the Week of March 10, 2008

Firegirl
by: Abbot, Tony
jFIC

The seventh graders in Tom’s class have never seen a burn victim—until Jessica walks into class one day and changes their lives at school. How Tom, his classmates, and Jessica react provides an engrossing and heart-wrenching story. Most of the class ignores her or blames her for her disfigurement, imagining all kinds of reasons why she got that way. Only a reluctant Tom, by extending his hand in class, offers the lonely and angry girl what she needs most: friendship. This book, by the author of the popular "Secrets of Droon" series, is a wonderful read about being different, yet the same.

- recommended by Ginny Noble, Selection Services